US saw summer of Black Lives Matter protests demanding change

US saw summer of Black Lives Matter protests demanding change

Advertisement

The summer of 2020 saw the United States' biggest protests for racial justice and civil rights in a generation.

The nation watched in horror as a video showed the death of George Floyd, a Black man gasping for air and calling for his mother as a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

. Houston, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Adrees Latif
BLM protesters on horseback rally through downtown Houston, Texas.

Floyd's death in Minneapolis on May 25 forced a new national reckoning about racial injustice and gave a global profile to the Black Lives Matter movement that has emerged in recent years to protest the deaths of African Americans in police custody.

Despite a worsening COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands took to the streets to demand change - first in Minneapolis, and later in New York, Washington, Portland and elsewhere - many of them chanting Floyd's dying words, "I can't breathe!" The demonstrations were largely peaceful, but as anger boiled over some protesters clashed with police and stores were looted or set on fire.

. Washington, United States. Reuters/Tom Brenner
U.S. President Donald Trump walks past graffiti to visit St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House during ongoing protests over racial inequality in Washington, U.S.

Republican President Donald Trump criticized the protests and promised to restore law and order, although opinion polls showed Americans largely supportive of Black Lives Matter.

In June, U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops, clad in riot gear, used pepper spray to clear the area outside the White House of protesters so Trump could walk to St. John's Church and pose for a photo holding up a Bible. Days later, the capital's mayor had "Black Lives Matter" emblazed in giant yellow letters on the street leading to the White House.

. London, United Kingdom. Reuters/Dylan Martinez
Protester Patrick Hutchinson carries an injured counter-protester to safety, near Waterloo station during a BLM protest in London, Britain.

Anti-racism demonstrators also marched to show their support in cities overseas including Brussels and London.

Under pressure from the protests, some U.S. police departments banned the use of chokeholds and no-knock warrants. A few school districts, including in Minneapolis and Denver, canceled contracts with police departments. A few cities such as Boston, New York and San Francisco proposed redirecting some of the police budget to other community priorities. But nationwide reform remains elusive.

. Washington, United States. Reuters/Tom Brenner
Protestors attach a chain to the statue of U.S. President Andrew Jackson in the middle of Lafayette Park in front of the White House in an attempt to pull it down as someone throws a roll of toilet paper at the statue during BLM protests in Washington, D.C.

There was a renewed focus on the still-unresolved legacy of the Civil War of 1861-65. Monuments to pro-slavery Confederacy figures were taken down or toppled by protesters. NASCAR racing banned the Confederate flag, a symbol of slavery and white supremacy for many Americans.

. Richmond, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Julia Rendleman
Ballerinas Kennedy George, 14, and Ava Holloway, 14, pose in front of a monument of Confederate general Robert E. Lee after Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered its removal after widespread civil unrest following the death of George Floyd, in Richmond, Virginia, U.S.

Businesses pledged more than $1.7 billion for racial and social justice causes and rushed to revamp brands with stereotypical names or images.

. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Jeenah Moon
A NYPD police car is set on fire as protesters clash with police in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, U.S,.

Black athletes were at the forefront of the movement. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's NBA postponed games in solidarity with the demonstrators, followed by Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer.

There were further protests following the Aug. 23 police shooting of another Black man, Jacob Blake, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and again in September when a grand jury decided not to bring homicide charges against police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor.

. New Orleans, United States. Reuters/Kathleen Flynn
Dana Clark and her 18-month-old son Mason wait in line at City Hall as early voting begins for the upcoming presidential election in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S,.

The simmering anger and demands for justice ignited by these deaths and others translated into huge voter turnout by Black Americans in November's presidential election.

On Jan. 20, Kamala Harris will become the first Black woman, and first Asian American, to serve as U.S. vice president. Black Lives Matter supporters will be looking to her and President-elect Joe Biden to honor their campaign promises of criminal justice reform and economic aid for minority communities.

1 / 27

Slideshow

Protesters react as they set fire to the entrance of a police station as demonstrations continue following the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
. Minneapolis, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Protesters react as they set fire to the entrance of a police station as demonstrations continue following the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

A woman affected by pepper spray is attended to by others during a protest amid nationwide unrest following the death of George Floyd, at Lafayette Park near the White House in Washington, U.S.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Jim Bourg

A woman affected by pepper spray is attended to by others during a protest amid nationwide unrest following the death of George Floyd, at Lafayette Park near the White House in Washington, U.S.

Protesters rally at the White House against the death of George Floyd, in Washington, D.C., U.S.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

Protesters rally at the White House against the death of George Floyd, in Washington, D.C., U.S.

A tanker truck drives into thousands of protesters marching on 35W north bound highway during a protest against the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
. Minneapolis, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Eric Miller

A tanker truck drives into thousands of protesters marching on 35W north bound highway during a protest against the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

A man recites spoken word poetry at a makeshift memorial honoring George Floyd, at the spot where he was taken into custody, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
. Minneapolis, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

A man recites spoken word poetry at a makeshift memorial honoring George Floyd, at the spot where he was taken into custody, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

The remnants of a building burnt down during demonstrations that have erupted in reaction to the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
. Minneapolis, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

The remnants of a building burnt down during demonstrations that have erupted in reaction to the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

A police officer kneels during a protest against the death of George Floyd, outside LAPD headquarters in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
. Los Angeles, United States. Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

A police officer kneels during a protest against the death of George Floyd, outside LAPD headquarters in Los Angeles, California, U.S.

A NYPD policeman is seen during a protest against the death of George Floyd, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, U.S.
. New York, United States. Reuters/Brendan McDermid

A NYPD policeman is seen during a protest against the death of George Floyd, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, U.S.

Protesters cross Morrison Bridge while rallying against the death of George Floyd, in Portland, Oregon, U.S.
. Portland, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Terray Sylvester

Protesters cross Morrison Bridge while rallying against the death of George Floyd, in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Protesters use umbrellas at the front line of a barricade guarded by Seattle police and the National Guard following the death of George Floyd, near the department's East Precinct in Seattle, Washington, U.S.
. Seattle, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Lindsey Wasson

Protesters use umbrellas at the front line of a barricade guarded by Seattle police and the National Guard following the death of George Floyd, near the department's East Precinct in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Uniformed military personnel walk in front of the White House ahead of a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, in Washington, U.S.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

Uniformed military personnel walk in front of the White House ahead of a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, in Washington, U.S.

A man exits a vehicle with a gun as Dan Gregory is tended to by medics after being shot in the arm by a driver who tried to drive through a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, in Seattle, Washington, U.S.
. Seattle, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Lindsey Wasson

A man exits a vehicle with a gun as Dan Gregory is tended to by medics after being shot in the arm by a driver who tried to drive through a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

People attend a protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd, in Nantes, France.
. Nantes, France. Reuters/Stephane Mahe

People attend a protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd, in Nantes, France.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) kneel with Congressional Democrats during a moment of silence to honor George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others inside Emancipation Hall after weeks of protests against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) kneel with Congressional Democrats during a moment of silence to honor George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others inside Emancipation Hall after weeks of protests against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S.

Reverend Al Sharpton is seen in the foreground as Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, wipes tears after speaking during the public viewing of Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston, Texas, U.S.
. Houston, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Reverend Al Sharpton is seen in the foreground as Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, wipes tears after speaking during the public viewing of Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston, Texas, U.S.

A demonstrator raises his fist as he holds an American flag during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, U.S.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Idris Solomon

A demonstrator raises his fist as he holds an American flag during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, U.S.

A woman cries as the horse-drawn carriage carrying the casket containing the body of George Floyd passes by in Pearland, Texas, U.S.
. Pearland, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

A woman cries as the horse-drawn carriage carrying the casket containing the body of George Floyd passes by in Pearland, Texas, U.S.

Two protesters speak with a Georgia State Patrol officer after taking over and blocking a freeway during a rally against racial inequality and the police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
. Atlanta, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Elijah Nouvelage

Two protesters speak with a Georgia State Patrol officer after taking over and blocking a freeway during a rally against racial inequality and the police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Tomika Miller, the widow of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot dead June 12 by an Atlanta police officer, cries over his coffin at the conclusion of his public viewing a day before his funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
. Atlanta, United States. Reuters/Curtis Compton

Tomika Miller, the widow of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot dead June 12 by an Atlanta police officer, cries over his coffin at the conclusion of his public viewing a day before his funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

People gather for a block party to celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in Texas, two years after the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves elsewhere in the United States, amid nationwide protests against racial inequality, at a mural dedicated to George Floyd in Houston, Texas, U.S.
. Houston, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Callaghan O'Hare

People gather for a block party to celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in Texas, two years after the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves elsewhere in the United States, amid nationwide protests against racial inequality, at a mural dedicated to George Floyd in Houston, Texas, U.S.

Pedestrians walk past a large "Black Lives Matter" banner painted on a street near the Brooklyn borough hall in New York City, New York, U.S.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

Pedestrians walk past a large "Black Lives Matter" banner painted on a street near the Brooklyn borough hall in New York City, New York, U.S.

Patricia McCloskey and her husband Mark McCloskey draw their firearms on protestors as they enter their neighbourhood during a protest against St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
. St.Louis, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Lawrence Bryant

Patricia McCloskey and her husband Mark McCloskey draw their firearms on protestors as they enter their neighbourhood during a protest against St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.

Protesters blocking an exit to the precinct of the officers who arrested Elijah McClain, cover their ears anticipating the use of flash-bang grenades by police in Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
. Aurora, United States. Reuters/Kevin Mohatt

Protesters blocking an exit to the precinct of the officers who arrested Elijah McClain, cover their ears anticipating the use of flash-bang grenades by police in Aurora, Colorado, U.S.

People protesting racial inequality and police violence confront a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump after she walked into the intersection occupied by them in Black Lives Matter plaza with a pro Trump sign in Washington, U.S.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Leah Millis

People protesting racial inequality and police violence confront a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump after she walked into the intersection occupied by them in Black Lives Matter plaza with a pro Trump sign in Washington, U.S.

Federal law enforcement officers fire tear gas and other munitions to disperse protesters during a demonstration against police violence and racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S.
. Portland, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Caitlin Ochs

Federal law enforcement officers fire tear gas and other munitions to disperse protesters during a demonstration against police violence and racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

A demonstrator pumps his fist as others gather in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" march in support of racial justice that is expected to gather protestors from all over the country in Washington, U.S.
. Washington, United States. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

A demonstrator pumps his fist as others gather in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" march in support of racial justice that is expected to gather protestors from all over the country in Washington, U.S.

People react after a decision in the criminal case against police officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor, who was shot dead by police in her apartment, in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
. Louisville, United States. Reuters/Carlos Barria

People react after a decision in the criminal case against police officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor, who was shot dead by police in her apartment, in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.